The Triple Crown and Beyond: Horse Racing's Biggest Events
From Kentucky to Dubai: A Guide to the World's Most Prestigious Horse Races
Ever wonder what it takes to be the greatest racehorse of all time? Winning one of the big three races - the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, known as the Triple Crown - is a good start. But the world of elite horse racing doesn’t end there. From the Middle East to Australia to Japan, champion thoroughbreds battle it out in some of the most prestigious races on the planet.
You’ve probably heard of the Triple Crown, open only to 3-year-old horses, and maybe even tuned in to watch one of the races. But what about the Dubai World Cup, the richest horse race on earth with a $12 million purse? Or the Melbourne Cup, Australia’s most famous annual Thoroughbred horse race? From there we go to Japan’s Japan Cup and Hong Kong’s Hong Kong International Races. These major international horse races attract the best racehorses and jockeys for an opportunity to cement their place in history.
Want to know what it really takes to prove you’re the best racehorse in the world? Win one of these monster races outside of the Triple Crown and your name will live on forever. These competitions represent the pinnacle of horse racing excellence, where champions are born and legends are made. If you’re a racehorse, there’s no bigger stage. If you’re a fan, there’s no better spectacle. The Triple Crown may be the most famous, but these other elite races are where immortality awaits.
The Triple Crown: The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes
The Triple Crown is the ultimate achievement in horse racing, consisting of three prestigious races for 3-year-old thoroughbreds:
The Kentucky Derby, held in May at Churchill Downs, is the first leg of the Triple Crown and the biggest horse racing event in the U.S. Nicknamed "The Run for the Roses," the Derby sees over 150,000 spectators flock to Louisville to witness the spectacle.
Next up is the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. First run in 1873, it's the shortest race of the three at 1 3/16 miles. The Preakness has a more relaxed vibe than the Derby but is still a massive event, attracting over 100,000 fans annually.
Finally, the Belmont Stakes in early June at Belmont Park in New York is the longest of the three races at 1 1⁄2 miles. Dubbed "The Test of the Champion," the Belmont often determines whether a horse will clinch the elusive Triple Crown. While smaller than the Derby and Preakness, the Belmont still sees around 90,000 racing enthusiasts make the pilgrimage to watch history in the making.
Only 13 horses have ever won the Triple Crown, cementing their status as legends. But even if a horse falls short, winning two legs is still a remarkable feat demonstrating their skill, stamina, and heart. The Triple Crown races are the ultimate test - and thrill - in horse racing.
The Classics: The English, Irish, and French Classics
The English, Irish and French Classics are some of the most prestigious races in the world. These historic events have been contested for centuries and continue to draw huge crowds and the top thoroughbreds today.
The English Classics
Dating back to the early 1700s, the English Classics or British Classics include the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, The Oaks, the Derby Stakes and the St. Leger Stakes. Run at Newmarket Racecourse and Epsom Downs Racecourse, these races are restricted to three-year-old horses and make up the English Triple Crown. Winning even one Classic instantly makes a horse a star.
The Irish Classics
Across the Irish Sea, the Irish Classics are also world-renowned. The Irish 2,000 Guineas, Irish Derby and Irish Oaks make up the Irish Triple Crown and are held at the Curragh Racecourse. Like the English Classics, they are open only to three-year-olds. Some of the greatest horses, like Nijinsky, have won both the English and Irish Derbies.
The French Classics
Last but not least are the French Classics or Prix de Diane held at the Chantilly Racecourse north of Paris. The Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) and Prix de Diane (French Oaks) are the two most well-known races making up France's premier Classic races for three-year-olds. Many top horses and jockeys travel from around the world to compete in these historic races.
With prestige, history and excitement, the Classics are the pinnacle of racing for three-year-old thoroughbreds in Europe. No wonder they remain an integral part of horse racing culture and tradition.
Breeders' Cup: Racing's World Championships
The Breeders’ Cup is horse racing’s annual World Championships, held in the fall. Some of the best thoroughbreds from around the globe compete in these prestigious Grade 1 races to claim titles in their divisions and cement their status among the all-time greats.
A Two-Day Global Event
The Breeders’ Cup spans two action-packed days in late October or early November and is held at a different racetrack in the U.S. or Canada each year. Over $30 million in purse money is up for grabs across the 14 championship races, ranging from sprints to mile and a half marathons on dirt and turf.
Horses, trainers and jockeys travel from as far as Europe, Asia and South America for a chance to shine on this world stage. Legends like Cigar, Zenyatta and American Pharoah have captured Breeders’ Cup glory and horse racing immortality.
Some of the most highly anticipated races are the Classic, with the world’s top older horses battling at 1 1/4 miles, and the Turf, featuring accomplished grass specialists from across the globe. The Sprint and Dirt Mile also never fail to thrill with their sheer speed and power.
An International Event
While the Breeders’ Cup may have originally been created to spotlight U.S. racing, it has evolved into a truly global event. European powerhouses like Enable, Frankel and Golden Horn have crossed the pond to compete, as have champions from as far as Japan, Brazil and South Africa. The international flavor adds extra excitement, pitting the best of the best from around the world against each other.
After 35 years, the Breeders’ Cup has become one of the biggest highlights on the racing calendar. If you want to see world-class thoroughbreds and talent on full display, there’s no better place to be than the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Conclusion
So now you know the races that make up the Triple Crown and a few other major events in the horse racing world. From the Kentucky Derby to the Dubai Cup to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, these prestigious races attract the best thoroughbreds and jockeys from around the globe. Whether you get the chance to witness one of these races in person or enjoy watching from the comfort of your home, experiencing the pageantry, excitement and thrill of victory is something any sports fan can appreciate. Now you'll have a better sense of the significance and history behind these remarkable events the next time you see them on TV. And who knows, maybe one day you'll even make it out to Churchill Downs or Ascot to feel the energy of the crowd and see a potential Triple Crown champion in the making. The love of the race and these powerful, graceful animals that run their hearts out for our entertainment is something that transcends culture and geography.
